Narrative:The no. 2 engine failed at FL200 and the aircraft returned. The remaining no. 1 engine also failed and the aircraft landed on a dirt road, hit a fence and a log pile causing the nosegear to collapse.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "Inadvertent deactivation of fuel to the left engine as the pilot was making a precautionary shutdown of the right engine, and his failure to follow the emergency checklist procedure. Related factors were: low gearbox oil pressure (at flight altitude), and uneven terrain that was encountered during the emergency landing."

N73160 flew for Frontier Commuter for a while until being bought by Sierra Pacific Airlines in 1988 who leased the CV-580 to Aspen Airways.

Map

This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path. Distance from Denver-Stapleton International Airport, CO to Durango-La Plata Airport, CO as the crow flies is 382 km (239 miles).

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.